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TJ Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly agreed to a massive four-year contract on Thursday, making the linebacker the highest-paid defenseman in the NFL.
According to ESPN, Watt had to bypass his agents to close the deal.
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Watt allegedly walked into the office of Steelers president Art Rooney II and told him “they had a deal,” according to the report. Watt then left and went to practice as he and the Steelers prepare for the season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
Watt and the Steelers agreed to a four-year extension worth more than $ 112 million, the NFL Network reported Thursday. He would get an $ 80 million guarantee and earn about $ 28.003 million per year.
TJ WATT’S STEELERS LUCRATIVE EXTENSION PUT HIM ON TOP OF BEST PAID DEFENDERS
The 26-year-old is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection. The 2020 season has been one of the best of his career as the team finished third in points and yards allowed.
Last season, he led the league with 15 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. He totaled 53 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles during the year. The Steelers, however, were eliminated from their wild card game against the Cleveland Browns in the playoffs.
Watt is set to be the focal point of the Steelers defense again in 2021.
He will be part of the same linebacker corps as Devin Bush Jr., Joe Schobert and Alex Highsmith.
Watt’s teammate Ben Roethlisberger was a big advocate for securing the deal.
“I think TJ should get whatever he wants,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday, via ESPN. “He’s arguably the best football player in the game right now, not just in defense, just in general.
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“One of the reasons I took less money was that guys like him got paid, and he has to be paid. He deserves every penny he wants and asks for. TJ Watt is that guy who should get whatever he wants. “
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